You can make at least £200 from the council for clearing snow when bad weather hits Derbyshire this winter.

Derbyshire County Council is recruiting local residents and farmers and others with ploughing or gritting equipment to clear the county's roads and pavements.

Those who sign up must be able to work seven days a week, respond to a call out within 90 minutes, and arrange their own insurance.

Councillor Simon Spencer, the council's cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure, said: “While it may seem early to be preparing for winter, especially with our recent stretch of warmer weather, the reality is it’s not far off.

"We have to start planning now to make sure we have the right resources in place so we are ready when colder conditions arrive.

Snow in Derby city centre last year

“We look after around 3,500 miles of roads and pavements and grit around half of them. These include our major roads, routes where there is only one way in or out of an area, major bus routes and roads serving emergency services’ bases.

"But we can’t be everywhere, which is why our volunteers and contractors are a vital resource, particularly in our more rural communities.”

The council is looking for local residents to volunteer to clear snow and ice from their community’s pavements.

Those who sign up to the council’s Snow Warden Scheme will get a free delivery of up to a tonne of bagged grit, be given training on how to clear snow safely, and be kept up-to-date with specialist weather reports.

Councillor Spencer added: “We need people to sign up so we can make sure they have any materials and training they need, and while it’s never too late to join up I’d encourage anyone who’d like to volunteer to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Last winter, 52 farmers and contractors helped in their local communities, while staff at 72 county schools also volunteered to clear snow from outside school gates.